The federal government has announced it will drop its COVID-19 vaccine mandates as of June 20, 2022. This means that the vaccination policy for federal public service workers of the core public administration, including the RCMP, will no longer be in effect. Crown corporations and separate employers were asked to do the same.
As of June 20, 2022, those members on Leave Without Pay (LWOP) or another accommodation status will be allowed to return to work. Should circumstances of the pandemic change, the federal government may adjust their policies to align with public health guidance. We expect that separate agencies will soon be adopting the same approach and will keep you informed.
Unfortunately, this information was shared with the PIPSC President through the media before the employer informed us of the change. We, together with other unions, have been asking for an update for weeks. We have informed the Treasury Board of our disappointment and hope that collaboration will be a priority moving forward.
This is a welcome update from the employer as we have been pushing for this policy to reflect the current status of the pandemic. PIPSC filed policy grievances in May 2022 against the Mandatory Vaccination Policy for all members who remain on LWOP beyond April 6, 2022. Those grievances remain in effect until we have further details.
Our members have gone above and beyond throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to keep their colleagues and the Canadian public safe. We encourage all members to continue to follow public health guidelines and keep their vaccinations up-to-date.
The employer must maintain a safe workplace, especially as members return to their workplaces. We will continue to advocate for flexible and telework arrangements as it’s a virtual world and our members have proven their ability to be productive while working remotely.